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Thursday, September 08, 2011

I have a real admiration for the Amish people--their
commitment to the Christian faith, their simple lifestyle, and their strong
sense of community. Also, I can relate to their lifestyle, since I live in a
small town. Many of my neighbors have ranches and many of the students I taught
have chores on the farm--tending to animals, helping with crops, etc. I feel a
real connection with the rural lifestyle I find among Amish communities

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest
day in your life?

The day my son was born.

How has being published changed your life?

I work longer hours, but I'm very grateful and happy to do
it!

What are you reading right now?

Dan Walsh's Remembering
Christmas

What is your current work in progress?

PlainSchool at Pebble Creek (Harvest House, June
2012)

What would be your dream vacation?

Hiking and camping with my husband.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

My editor chose the setting for my Shipshewana murder
mystery series which is set in Indiana.
It's a lovely town of 600 that I've now visited twice, and I adore it--perfect
for what we wanted to do. As far as my Harvest House series, I knew I wanted to
write about a community of Amish that was less well known, so choosing Wisconsin was easy. I
didn't pick the Cashton area until I went to Wisconsin and spent a week travelling with
my husband and visiting the Amish communities.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is
currently alive, who would it be and why?

My husband. He's my favorite person to be with!

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I'm learning to quilt, since my first series is set in a
quilt shop. I've always loved needlework, crocheting and knitting. I'm trying
to make more time for these things since I'm no longer teaching. I also love
camping, hiking and gardening.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you
overcome it?

There are obstacles? Ha ha ha. I'd have to say time. There
are so many things to do, and they are all good things, but it's not possible
to do every one of them. I keep a daily journal. (I'm a graduate of Margie
Lawson's class which helped me with time management.) First thing I do each day
is write down 5 things I'm grateful for and then list my top priorities for
that day. It keeps me focused.

This is a fun story about a girl from Texas
who is called to Indiana
to settle her aunt's estate after she has died. Callie is reeling from several
recent losses and is unsure how to cope with one more. Then she's confronted
with her aunt's things, with a quilt shop, and with Deborah Yoder. She finds
the courage to reach toward a different life, friendship and new beginnings
when murder strikes the small town of Shipshewana.
Guess who the prime suspect is? It's a fast moving buggy ride from there ...

Please give us the first page of the book.

Chapter
One

Shipshewana,
Indiana

June 1

Dead bodies had never bothered Deborah Yoder.

Discovering old Mrs. Daisy Powell face down in the aisle had been a
surprise. Her friend had died there between the displays of yellow, gold bolts
of cotton fabric and quilting notions. Deborah had rushed to her side and knelt
there, not even thinking to go for the police, but she hadn’t been upset.

Amish considered death a natural part of the cycle of life, and Daisy
Powell had lived life to its fullest.

Deborah focused on the neat row of stitches in front of her, on the
slight tug of the needle as she worked it through the layers of the quilt, on
the satisfaction of watching the blue, gray, white and black pieces fit
perfectly together.

She focused on the quilt, but her mind went back to the morning she
tripped over Daisy’s body on the floor of the quilt store.

Three weeks had passed, Daisy’s body had been properly placed in the
ground according to Englisch customs, but still Deborah and her freinden
had no answers to their problem.

Of course she noticed when the voices around her grew silent.

She snipped the thread, pocketed her small scissors, worked the needle
through her apron for safe-keeping, and looked across the quilt frame at her
two best friends.

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

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I love reading about the amish and I can relate to how you feel so close to them as well. I live in a small town called Troutville Pa and I am surrounded by farming and amish. I also love the scriptur reading in most books and love the sound of a simple life. Thank you for giving the oppertuinity to whom ever wins good luck everyone! I also hope I get my chance!

I love your comments about the Amish and your interest in their lives. Robyn's comment about them being a tight-knit community especially made me smile.

I'm doing an Amish myth busters series on Saturdays over on my blog... and something about her comment rang a bell! : ) Stop by Saturday to see what I mean. http://vannettachapman.wordpress.com/ And we'll post the winner on the 17th.

I love reading about the Amish,. I live in a small town in Southern Illinois not too far from an Amish Community,. I'm always in awe when I see these wonderful people.I loved the Interview and a chance to win this Book.,

thank you Vanetta, for sharing your writing and quilting expertise with us! i love quilting - love the choosing of fabrics and patterns - creating something beautiful from bits of colours and fabrics... this all adds to the interest in your book... from CA